The cancellations have meant layoffs, furloughs and salary cuts, with companies relying heavily— sometimes exclusively — on fundraising to stay afloat. Beyond their financial importance, Nutcracker performances are also a crucial marketing tool for dance companies, company directors say. The annual $8 million US in Nutcracker ticket sales accounts for about 20 per cent of the company's annual budget. WATCH | Is the future of performance online or at a distance? Of the 50 dance companies with the largest annual expenses surveyed by the Dance Data Project, only eight were proceeding with in-person performances.

Source: CBC News October 12, 2020 00:22 UTC